CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe admits his squad must be better and smarter if they are to cope with the rigours of the Premier League.

The Dean Court side are set to begin their maiden top-flight campaign against Aston Villa a fortnight today, their first league clash with the Villans in 27 years.

And Howe has warned his players that the form they showed in scooping last season’s Championship title will not be enough in 2015-16.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s trip to Ligue One outfit Nantes (6.30pm GMT), Howe told the Daily Echo: “We’re going to have to be better in attack, smarter with the ball and better when we don’t have it.

“It’s not rocket science but saying it and doing it are two totally different things.

“We may have less of the ball this season so that could be a new experience for us and we’re going to have to be ready for all the challenges that face us.

“That comes down to our training and making sure we are ready for those eventualities.

“Our core principles will never change, we’re just going to have to do them better and that’s the challenge I’m going to lay down to the players.

“The minute we start changing things too much, I think we come away from our strengths.”